How it all began…
Ger Willemse: ‘It all started with a welding machine my father gave to me when I was 14 years old. Quite soon business was booming and together with my nephew I started welding and bending frames of steel for cowsheds. Because I had to enlist I could not start my own company right away, but in January 1977 my time had come. The foundation stone was laid and on July 1, 1978 I officially registered Staalkonstruktie G. Willemse (currently Willemse Staalconstructies). The number of projects and employees rose steadily. The diversity in projects led to Willemse Compleetbouw in 1991 and Thinking Steel International in 2005.’
We think in steel. We have a reason for everything we do, hence the name Thinking Steel. Which puts us right on the (inter)national map
For many years, we have been well-known in the steel and building industries, both in the Netherlands and internationally. Ger Willemse, the founder of the company, transferred ownership to his daughter Kim and his son Gert-Jan in 2022, marking the transition to the second generation. The current board consists of Kim van Dongen – Willemse and Bjorn van Ballegooy.
Our employees are our greatest asset
Thinking Steel is a family business with 35 employees. Skilled and motivated people are the foundation of our success. Therefore, as an innovative company, we support our employees. Together, we strive for a healthy balance of modern employer practices in a traditional manufacturing company. Craftsmanship, along with an informal and collegial culture, defines us. Our work environment fosters knowledge sharing, learning, and development.
Complete in steel: from design to delivery
Our success formula is that we think in steel. We truly get the most out of it. Deliver top quality. Do what we say and promise. And we tap into new markets ourselves. Customers don’t just come to you, especially not abroad. If you want to gain a foothold there, you have to go there. Learn the language and culture with respect, and offer more than local companies. And most importantly, build trust by providing high-quality custom work and keeping your commitments.
